BRIAN McDERMOTT has finally stopped the bleeding. But the patient does not look like stepping off the sickbed any time soon.

Reading kept their first clean sheet of the season – having let in 15 goals in their last four games here – but it did not lead to their first win in the Premier League.

The Royals boss tried everything, and his side certainly looked more solid than they have in ages. But the more games like this that slip by, the more bleak it looks.

He said: “The clean sheet pleased me. That’s six draws from ten games, which shows us how close we are. That team today looked solid. There are many things here that give me confidence.”

Norwich had not won away all season and were under the cosh for long spells. But they have eight points from the last 12 available. Boss Chris Hughton said: “It was a good point. We look a lot more solid at the moment and we’re in a much better place than we were a few weeks ago.”

Reading have rarely struggled going forward. But they did in the first half. Garath McCleary had a blistering drive from 25 yards parried away, and Jason Roberts hit the side netting when his cross deflected off Michael Turner. But they rarely troubled John Ruddy in the Norwich goal.

That’s six draws from ten games, which shows us how close we are. That team today looked solid.

Reading boss Brian McDermott

The Canaries came here on a fine run of form, and Wes Hoolahan should have punished Reading’s wastefulness when he found himself unmarked on the edge of the area, but fired wide.

Not as wide as Mikele Leigertwood’s effort at the other end, though. Taking aim from 30 yards, he shot so waywardly the ball went out for a throw. It summed up Reading’s afternoon.

As the second half wore on, McDermott sent on Pavel Pogrebnyak and Jimmy Kebe in a bid to change things.

Kebe made an immediate impact, worrying Norwich with his running and clipping the crossbar with one early centre, while Sean Morrison headed inches wide from a Nicky Shorey free-kick.

But only the faintest of touches from Kaspars Gorkss at the other end prevented Grant Holt giving Norwich the lead when he was left alone in front of goal.

Both sides were suddenly going for it, with Holt forcing a decent save from Adam Federici. But neither team could find a winner.

With high-fliers Everton and Manchester United the next two teams to visit the Madjeski, Reading may well need this new-found solidity.

But you have to think they will need a lot more than that to stay up – and the few fans who stayed to boo their team off at the end seemed to agree.

They played ‘It’s Not Over Yet’ by the Klaxons over the tannoy after the final whistle.That may be true. But it will be soon at this rate.

MAN of the MATCH:Sean Morrison (Reading) – Solid as a rock and came very close to finding the net on his home debut in the Premier League.READING: Federici; Gunter, Morrison, Gorkss, Shorey; McCleary (Pogrebnyak 60), Tabb, Leigertwood, McAnuff; Roberts (Le Fondre 78), Hunt (Kebe 60).